“The process of obtaining a Burn
Permit from the AFC requires the
requestor to provide “Section,
Township and Range (STR)” location
information. To determine the STR
for the location of your burn
permit, use our ‘STR Locator’ by
clicking here. Zoom into your
area where the location of the Burn
Permit will take place, and write
down the STR. You will provide this
information to our personnel when
you call to obtain your Burn
Permit.”

A Burning permit,
9-13-11 of the 1975 Code of Alabama, is required for all
forestry and agricultural burns. In general, the permit means the
burner has the manpower and equipment to control the fire and agrees to stay
with the fire until it is out. Burning permits may be obtained by
calling the Alabama Forestry Commission. Even though the burner
has a permit, he/she is still responsible for any damage to others that may
be caused by the fire or smoke. Alabama has a
Certified Burner Law designed to reduce burner liability.

Even though the law requires a permit for all
"wood & field" fires, the AFC has administratively exempted fires smaller
than 1/4 acre if it is more than 25 feet from a forested area.
However, the burner is still responsible for the fire.

Upon requesting a permit, the burner will be
asked about the burn. The approximate size will be needed along with
what is to be burned, i.e. grassland/fields/forests, and the general purpose
of the burn such as fire hazard reduction, regeneration, wildlife benefit,
etc. The burn must not contain material such as vehicle tires,
construction material, household garbage or other material prohibited by
ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental management)

There are some County and City Laws that also
restrict outdoor burning. Burners are responsible for contacting their
local government for additional information.

The permit may be canceled by the AFC for
failure to comply with the terms of the permit, weather condition change
which cause erratic and dangerous fire behavior, or if the burn produces
smoke which becomes a hazard to others or contributes to a degradation of
air quality.